My daughter started school a couple of weeks ago. She and I had fun buying some new clothes, a backpack and a lunch box. I took this picture of her along the way. I'm really fortunate I was able to take it because I know there are families across America who didn't take their child to school, who didn't get that first day picture.
We are also really fortunate that going back to school is not connected with tragedy. Her campus is as peaceful and playful as ever, protected by caring adults who would risk their lives rather than have one of their students harmed. Sometimes I want to hug them and tell them that, I know. "I know what you would do for my child, but I don't want you to. I don't want you to ever be faced with that kind of choice in which you risk loss for your family rather than mine. It's unfair. It's wrong."
We are in the third week of school now; the counting has begun. How many school shootings will take place this school year, and how many of our children and teachers will be wounded and killed? I'm holding my breath that it won't happen at my daughter's school. But it will happen somewhere, and when I let my breath out, some mother will be grieving the child she took to school that day.
Please let our teachers know how much we value them. They are my heroes.
Say thanks to our school heroes.
AB 1014, the Gun Violence Restraining Order, born from the Isle Vista shooting, is waiting on Governor Brown's desk for his signature.
The Gun Violence Restraining Order law would give family members a way to alert police and ask courts to keep guns away from dangerous people. When a person is mentally or emotionally disturbed, their family members are often the first to recognize it. Under this bill, they could take legal steps to avoid a tragic situation.
Tell Governor Jerry Brown to Sign AB 1014 into Law
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Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with kossacks who are caring and supportive of one another. So bring your stories, jokes, photos, funny pics, music, and interesting videos, as well as links—including quotations—to diaries, news stories, and books that you think this community would appreciate. Readers may notice that most who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but newcomers should not feel excluded. We welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.
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